Electrical grounding clamp

Abstract

An improved means for grounding the electrical service in a building or for grounding motors and the like consisting of an electrical ground fixture comprising a metal pipe section and a securing means for a ground wire integrally associated with the metal pipe section. The securing means comprises a metal casing adapted to receive the ground wire, the casing being integrally connected with and positioned exteriorly on the pipe section. A clamp, operatively associated with the casing and movable with respect thereto is adapted to secure the ground wire in the casing. When the ground wire is secured, a ground path is provided between the wire and the casing and metal pipe section. The pipe section is incorporated into an appropriate part of the water system of the building. Difficulties of installation, corrosion problems and crimping of the pipe occurring with previously used screw-secured plate members fitted about a pipe are avoided according to the present invention.

What I claim as my invention is: 
     
       1. An electrical ground fixture comprising: a metal pipe section, the section to constitute an intermediate section of a grounded pipe system, and   a securing means for a ground wire associated therewith, said securing means comprising:   a metal casing adapted to receive the ground wire within, said casing being exterior to and an integral part of said pipe section, and   a clamp also part of the pipe section, operatively associated with and movable with respect to said casing, for securing the ground wire within said metal casing, whereby a ground path is provided between the secured ground wire and said casing and metal pipe section.   
     
     
       2. A fixture according to claim 1, wherein said pipe section and casing are of copper or brass. 
     
     
       3. A fixture according to claim 1, wherein said clamp means comprises a screw threadably engaged in a hole in said casing, and a clamping plate rotatably attached to the lower end thereof within said casing. 
     
     
       4. A fixture according to claim 3, wherein said clamping plate is provided with transverse ridges on its operative side to assist in gripping the ground wire. 
     
     
       5. A fixture according to claim 3, wherein said casing is elongated in the direction of the axis of said pipe, each end of the casing being provided with an aperture for receiving the ground wire and wherein a base portion of said casing lies adjacent and integral with said pipe and faces said clamping plate. 
     
     
       6. A fixture according to claim 5, wherein said base of said casing has a "U" or wide -"V" profile in a transverse direction to assist the gripping of said ground wire between said clamp plate and said casing base. 
     
     
       7. A fixture according to claim 1, wherein said metal casing comprises a split bolt, the base of which is integrally connected with and positioned externally on said pipe section, with spaced arms projecting therefrom, and said clamp comprises a clamping plate facing said base and slidably positioned between said arms of said split bolt by means of a nut threaded about the arms of the bolt. 
     
     
       8. A fixture according to claim 1, wherein said metal pipe section is a standard coupling used to join two lengths of pipe together.